Since posting the photo of the apple blossom from the heritage apple tree varieties we grow,  I have had some questions about what to plant & where to get trees from.

As you can imagine I have lots to say about all of this and happy to talk about it more, plus point you in the right direction for where to get trees.

First off. 

Start your research now, consider what are your favourite varieties, how much space do you have, talk to your local nurseries, let them know that you are interested in heritage varieties, they will more likely stock them if they have interested customers, even google heritage fruit trees in the country that you live in. Mail order is an option. If you are homeschooling include the research into a learning activity, then extend the activity by looking at where the trees originated from & the history.

I know that some people curl their toes at that suggestion of researching something but here is the thing, this isn’t school, you aren’t being forced to do something you don’t see the purpose in. 

This is about: 

~Following your curiosity and taking an active interest in your food. Not just following what supermarkets want you to buy because it’s easiest for them. 

~Discovering new food you can grow to feed your family. What a privilege. Yes…a privilege.

~By growing your own heritage variety fruit you are keeping a breed alive, how exciting is that, you get to be part of continuing  something epic. If it was a cute animal with the chance of becoming extinct (like many heritage variety fruit trees are) there would be campaigns and people throwing money at said campaign. Heritage fruit trees are just as important, the outcome is the same. When something is gone it’s gone. 

Still not convinced about planting heritage fruit trees? Cost is an incentive. I don’t know about you but after walking around a farmer’s market in summer I did the maths in the car on the way home. We literally would not be able to buy all our fruit & veg at the market due to the cost (and I understand that cost because of the quality of the produce and the infrastructure, planning, time, resources and labour that goes into growing it). 

If you read my instagram page @fairywrencottage you may have seen this post, I’ve included it here as well and will continue the conversation over the next couple of days. By breaking down the subject into smaller articles it makes it easier to read and not to wordy. I don’t want you to come away from any of my articles feeling like you have been overloaded but coming away with some food for thought, so to speak.

Happy Gardening.

As always I am here to help with any questions you have about how we have grown our heritage fruit trees.

Jude x